Including contextual information with a formed expression

ABSTRACT

Embodiments include a method, a manual device, a handheld manual device, a handheld writing device, a system, and an apparatus. An embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus includes a writing element having a first portion operable to discharge a first marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element over the surface and a second portion operable to discharge a second marking substance on the surface in response to a controller. The apparatus also includes the controller operable to encode information corresponding to a context of the apparatus by regulating the discharge of the second marking substance.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to the following listed applications(Related Applications):

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION ENCODED IN A FORMEDEXPRESSION, naming Alexander J. Cohen, B. Isaac Cohen, Ed Harlow, EricC. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, and Mark A. Malamud as inventors, U.S.Ser. No. ______, filed Nov. 20, 2006.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled DECODING DIGITAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN AHAND-FORMED EXPRESSION, naming Alexander J. Cohen, B. Isaac Cohen, EdHarlow, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, and Mark A. Malamud asinventors, U.S. Ser. No. ______, filed Nov. 20, 2006.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled VERIFYING A WRITTEN EXPRESSION, naming Alexander J.Cohen, B. Isaac Cohen, Ed Harlow, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien,and Mark A. Malamud as inventors, U.S. Ser. No. ______, filed Nov. 20,2006.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION IN A MANUALEXPRESSION, naming Alexander J. Cohen, B. Isaac Cohen, Ed Harlow, EricC. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, and Mark A. Malamud as inventors, U.S.Ser. No. ______, filed Nov. 20, 2006.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled INFORMATION ENCODED IN AN EXPRESSION, namingAlexander J. Cohen, B. Isaac Cohen, Ed Harlow, Eric C. Leuthardt, RoyceA. Levien, and Mark A. Malamud as inventors, U.S. Ser. No. ______, filedNov. 20, 2006.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled ELECTRONIC ACQUISITION OF A HAND FORMED EXPRESSIONAND A CONTEXT OF THE EXPRESSION, naming Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y.Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and John D.Rinaldo, Jr. as inventors, U.S. Ser. No. 11/083,567, filed Mar. 18,2005.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled ELECTRONIC ACQUISITION OF A HAND FORMED EXPRESSIONAND A CONTEXT OF THE EXPRESSION, naming Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y.Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and John D.Rinaldo, Jr. as inventors, U.S. Ser. No. 11/580,217, filed Oct. 11,2006.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled ELECTRONIC ACQUISITION OF A HAND FORMED EXPRESSIONAND A CONTEXT OF THE EXPRESSION, naming Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y.Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and John D.Rinaldo, Jr. as inventors, U.S. Ser. No. 11/580,218, filed Oct. 11,2006.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled ELECTRONIC ASSOCIATION OF A USER EXPRESSION AND ACONTEXT OF THE EXPRESSION, naming Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y. Jung,Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and John D. Rinaldo,Jr. as inventors, U.S. Ser. No. 11/114,245, filed Apr. 25, 2005.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled ACQUISITION OF A USER EXPRESSION AND A CONTEXT OFTHE EXPRESSION, naming Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A.Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and John D. Rinaldo, Jr. asinventors, U.S. Ser. No. 11/097,977, filed Mar. 31, 2005.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication econstitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled ACQUISITION OF A USER EXPRESSION AND AN ENVIRONMENTOF THE EXPRESSION, naming Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y. Jung, RoyceA. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and John D. Rinaldo, Jr. asinventors, U.S. Ser. No. 11/097,980, filed Mar. 31, 2005.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled PERFORMING AN ACTION WITH RESPECT TO A HAND-FORMEDEXPRESSION, naming Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A.Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and John D. Rinaldo, Jr. asinventors, U.S. Ser. No. 11/137,716, filed May 25, 2005.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled PERFORMING AN ACTION WITH RESPECT TO A HAND-FORMEDEXPRESSION, naming Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A.Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and John D. Rinaldo, Jr. asinventors, U.S. Ser. No. 11/137,694, filed May 25, 2005.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled OUTPUTTING A SAVED HAND-FORMED EXPRESSION, namingAlexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord,Mark A. Malamud, and John D. Rinaldo, Jr. as inventors, U.S. Ser. No.11/137,687, filed May 25, 2005.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled ARTICLE HAVING A WRITING PORTION AND PREFORMEDIDENTIFIERS, naming Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A.Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and John D. Rinaldo, Jr. asinventors, U.S. Ser. No. 11/167,072, filed Jun. 24, 2005.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled MACHINE-DIFFERENTIATABLE IDENTIFIERS HAVING ACOMMONLY ACCEPTED MEANING, naming Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y. Jung,Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and John D. Rinaldo,Jr. as inventors, U.S. Ser. No. 11/166,780, filed Jun. 24, 2005.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled HANDWRITING REGIONS KEYED TO A DATA RECEPTOR,naming Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W.Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and John D. Rinaldo, Jr. as inventors, U.S. Ser.No. 11/166,035, filed Jun. 24, 2005.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patentapplication entitled FORMS FOR COMPLETION WITH AN ELECTRONIC WRITINGDEVICE, naming Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien,Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and John D. Rinaldo, Jr. as inventors,U.S. Ser. No. 11/167,058, filed Jun. 24, 2005.

All subject matter of the Related Applications and of any and allparent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the RelatedApplications is incorporated herein by reference to the extent suchsubject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

SUMMARY

An embodiment provides a manual device operable in a context. The manualdevice includes a writing element operable to form a mark on a surfacein response to a movement of the writing element with respect to thesurface. The manual device also includes a controller operable to encodeinformation corresponding to the context of the manual device byregulating the formation of the mark. In an alternative embodiment, themanual device includes a reservoir configured to contain a supply of amarking substance. In another alternative embodiment, the manual deviceincludes a memory configurable by file that includes at least oneinstance of the context of the manual device and a code indicative ofthe context of the manual device. In a further embodiment, the manualdevice includes an image device operable to capture an aspect of thesurface. In addition to the foregoing, other device embodiments aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text that form a part of thepresent application.

Another embodiment provides a manual device operable in a context. Themanual device includes a body, and a writing instrument having anelectronically driven printhead operable to discharge a markingsubstance on a surface in response to a movement of at least a portionof the body over the surface. The manual device also includes a sensoroperable to acquire information corresponding to a context of the manualdevice. The manual device further includes a controller operable toencode the information corresponding to the context of the manual deviceby regulating a discharge of the marking substance from theelectronically driven printhead. In an alternative embodiment, themanual device further includes a reservoir configured to contain asupply of the marking substance. In another alternative embodiment, themanual device further includes a memory configurable by file thatincludes at least one instance of a context of the manual device and acode useable by the controller and corresponding to the context of themanual device. In a further alternative embodiment, the manual devicefurther includes an imaging device operable to capture an aspect of thesurface. In addition to the foregoing, other device embodiments aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text that form a part of thepresent application.

A further embodiment provides a method. The method includes acquiringinformation corresponding to a context of a manual device having awriting element. The method also includes marking a surface in responseto a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface. Themethod further includes encoding information corresponding to a contextof the manual device by regulating the marking of the surface. Inaddition to the foregoing, other method embodiments are described in theclaims, drawings, and text that form a part of the present application.

An embodiment provides a manual device operable in a context. The manualdevice includes means for acquiring information corresponding to thecontext of the manual device having a writing element. The manual devicealso includes means for marking a surface in response to a movement ofthe writing element with respect to the surface. The manual devicefurther includes means for encoding information corresponding to acontext of the manual device by regulating the marking of the surface.In addition to the foregoing, other device embodiments are described inthe claims, drawings, and text that form a part of the presentapplication.

Another embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus includes awriting element having a first portion operable to discharge a firstmarking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writingelement over the surface and a second portion operable to discharge asecond marking substance on the surface in response to a controller. Theapparatus also includes the controller operable to encode informationcorresponding to a context of the apparatus by regulating the dischargeof the second marking substance. In an alternative embodiment, theapparatus further includes a sensor operable to acquire the informationcorresponding to a context of the apparatus. In another alternativeembodiment, the apparatus includes a sensor operable to acquire andtransmit the information corresponding to a context of the apparatus. Ina further alternative embodiment, the apparatus includes an imagingdevice operable to capture an aspect of the surface. In an alternativeembodiment, the apparatus includes a reservoir configured to contain asupply at least one of the first marking substance and/or the secondmarking substance. In another alternative embodiment, the apparatusincludes a memory configurable by file that includes at least oneinstance of a context and a code indicative of the context. In additionto the foregoing, other apparatus embodiments are described in theclaims, drawings, and text that form a part of the present application.

A further embodiment provides a method. The method includes acquiringinformation corresponding to a context of a handheld writing devicehaving at least two electronically driven printheads. The method alsoincludes discharging a marking substance from a first electronicallydriven printhead of the at least two electronically driven printheads inresponse to a movement of the handheld writing device vis-à-vis asurface. The method further includes encoding the informationcorresponding to a context of the handheld writing device by regulatinga discharge of a second marking substance from a second electronicallydriven printhead of the at least two electronically driven printheads.In addition to the foregoing, other method embodiments are described inthe claims, drawings, and text that form a part of the presentapplication.

An embodiment provides a handheld writing device operable in a context.The device includes means for acquiring information corresponding to acontext of the handheld writing device having at least twoelectronically driven printheads. The handheld writing device alsoincludes means for discharging a marking substance from a firstelectronically driven printhead of the at least two electronicallydriven printheads in response to a movement of the handheld writingdevice vis-à-vis a surface. The handheld writing device further includesmeans for encoding the information corresponding to a context of thehandheld writing device by regulating the discharge of a second markingsubstance from a second electronically driven printhead of the at leasttwo electronically driven printheads. In addition to the foregoing,other handheld writing device embodiments are described in the claims,drawings, and text that form a part of the present application.

Another embodiment provides a device. The device includes an imagingcircuit operable to acquire digital information encoded in a hand-formedanalog expression marked on a surface by a handheld writing device. Thedevice also includes a translator circuit operable to decode the digitalinformation. The device further includes a correlation circuit operableto generate a signal indicative of the decoded digital information. Inan alternative embodiment, the device includes a display operable tobroadcast a human viewable image corresponding to the digitalinformation. In addition to the foregoing, other device embodiments aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text that form a part of thepresent application.

A further embodiment provides a device. The device includes an imagingcircuit operable to acquire digital information encoded in a hand-formedexpression formed on a surface by a handheld writing device. The digitalinformation corresponding to an environment of the handheld writingdevice when the expression was formed on the surface. The device alsoincludes a translator circuit operable to decode the digital informationcorresponding to an environment of the handheld writing device when theexpression was formed on the surface. The device further includes acorrelation circuit operable to generate a signal indicative of theenvironment of the handheld writing device when the expression wasformed on the surface. In an alternative embodiment, the device includesa memory configurable by a file that includes at least one correlationbetween an instance of encoded digital information and an environment ofthe handheld marking device. In another alternative embodiment, thedevice includes a memory configurable by a file that includes at leastone user established correlation between an instance of encoded digitalinformation and an environment of the handheld marking device. In afurther embodiment, the device includes a display operable to broadcasta human viewable image indicative of the environment of the handheldwriting device when the expression was formed on the surface. Inaddition to the foregoing, other handheld writing device embodiments aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text that form a part of thepresent application.

An embodiment provides a method. The method includes acquiringinformation encoded in a track formed on a surface by a manual writingdevice, the encoded information corresponding to a context of the manualwriting device proximate to when the substance was deposited. The methodalso includes interpreting the encoded information. The method furtherincludes generating a signal indicative of the context of the manualwriting device when the substance was deposited. In an alternativeembodiment, the method includes broadcasting a human viewable imageindicative of the context of the manual writing device when thesubstance was deposited. In addition to the foregoing, other methodembodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and text that form apart of the present application.

Another embodiment provides a device. The device includes means foracquiring information encoded in a track formed on a surface by a manualwriting device. The encoded information corresponding to a context ofthe manual writing device when the substance was deposited. The devicealso includes means for interpreting the encoded information. The devicefurther includes means for generating a signal indicative of the contextof the manual writing device when the substance was deposited. In analternative embodiment, the device includes means for broadcasting ahuman viewable image indicative of the context of the manual writingdevice when the substance was deposited. In addition to the foregoing,other device embodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and textthat form a part of the present application.

A further embodiment provides a system. The system includes a manualdevice that includes a writing element operable to discharge a markingsubstance on a surface in response to a movement of the writing elementupon the surface. The system also includes a sensor operable to acquireinformation corresponding to an environment of the manual device. Thesystem further includes a verification module operable to determine acorrespondence between a first aspect of the environment of the manualdevice and a second aspect of the environment of the manual device. Inan alternative embodiment, the system includes an electronic device thatincludes the sensor operable to acquire information corresponding to anenvironment of the manual device. In another alternative embodiment, thesystem includes a computing device that includes a storage deviceconfigurable by a file that includes data useful in a verification ofthe environment of the manual device. In a further alternativeembodiment, the system includes a computing device that includes astorage device configurable by a file that includes data useful in averification of the environment of the manual device and that isoperable to wirelessly communicate with the manual device. In analternative embodiment, the system includes a computing device thatincludes a storage device configurable by a file that includes datauseful in a verification of the environment of the manual device andthat includes the sensor operable to acquire information correspondingto the environment of the manual device. In addition to the foregoing,other system embodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and textthat form a part of the present application.

An embodiment provides a method. The method includes acquiringinformation corresponding to an environment of a device having a markingelement. The method also includes forming a mark on a surfacecorresponding to a manual movement of the marking element upon thesurface. The method further includes determining a correspondencebetween first aspect of the environment of the device and a secondaspect of the environment of the device. In an alternative embodiment,the method includes configuring a storage device in response to a filethat includes data useful in verification of the environment of themanual device. In another embodiment, the method includes controllingthe forming a mark on a surface corresponding to a manual movement ofthe marking element upon the surface at least partially in response tothe determining a correspondence between a first aspect of theenvironment of the device and a second aspect of the environment of thedevice. In addition to the foregoing, other method embodiments aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text that form a part of thepresent application.

Another embodiment provides a device. The device includes means foracquiring information corresponding to an environment of the device. Thedevice also includes means for forming a mark on a surface correspondingto a manual movement of the marking element upon the surface. The devicefurther includes means for determining a correspondence between firstaspect of the environment of the device and a second aspect of theenvironment of the device. In an alternative embodiment, the deviceincludes means for configuring a storage device in response to a filethat includes data useful in verification of the environment of themanual device.

A further embodiment provides a system. The system includes a manualdevice. The manual device includes a first writing element operable todischarge a first marking substance on a surface in response to a manualmovement of the first writing element upon the surface. The manualdevice also includes a second writing element operable to discharge asecond marking substance on the surface in response to a controller. Thecontroller is operable to encode information corresponding to anenvironment of the manual device by regulating a discharge of the secondmarking substance. The system also includes a sensor operable to acquiredata indicative of an environment of the manual device. In analternative embodiment, the system includes an electronic deviceincluding the sensor operable to acquire data indicative of anenvironment of the manual device. In another alternative embodiment, thesystem includes an electronic device operable to wirelessly communicatewith the manual device and including the sensor operable to acquire dataindicative of an environment of the manual device. In a furtherembodiment, the system includes an electronic device including thesensor operable to acquire data indicative of an environment of themanual device and including a storage device configurable by a file thatincludes data useful in characterizing the environment of the manualdevice. In addition to the foregoing, other system embodiments aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text that form a part of thepresent application.

An embodiment provides a method. The method includes discharging a firstmarking substance from an electronic printhead of a device and onto asurface in response to a first manual movement of the device. The methodalso includes including information corresponding to an environment ofthe device by regulating the discharging of the first marking substanceon the surface. The method further includes discharging a second markingsubstance from a writing element of the device and onto the surface inresponse to a second manual movement of the device. In a furtherembodiment the method includes acquiring data indicative of anenvironment of the manual device. In an alternative embodiment, themethod further includes acquiring data indicative of an environment ofthe manual device.

Another embodiment provides a device. The device includes means fordischarging from an electronic printhead of the device a first markingsubstance on a surface in response to a first manual movement of thedevice. The device also includes means for including informationcorresponding to an environment of the device by regulating thedischarging of the first marking substance on the surface. The devicefurther includes means for discharging from a writing element of thedevice a second marking substance on the surface in response to a secondmanual movement of the device. In an alternative embodiment, the devicefurther includes means for acquiring data indicative of an environmentof the manual device. In addition to the foregoing, other deviceembodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and text that form apart of the present application.

A further embodiment provides a device. The device includes a writingelement operable to form a mark on a surface corresponding to a movementof the writing element over the surface. The device also includes acontroller operable to digitally encode information in the mark. Inaddition to the foregoing, other device embodiments are described in theclaims, drawings, and text that form a part of the present application.

An embodiment provides a method. The method includes forming a markrepresenting a first information on a surface. The method also includesregulating the formation of the mark to include a second information. Inaddition to the foregoing, other method embodiments are described in theclaims, drawings, and text that form a part of the present application.

Another embodiment provides a device. The device includes means forforming a mark representing a first information on a surfacecorresponding to a movement of an electronic writing element over thesurface. The device also includes means for regulating the formation ofthe mark to include a second information. In addition to the foregoing,other device embodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and textthat form a part of the present application.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the drawings and the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary thin computing device in whichembodiments may be implemented

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary general-purpose computing system inwhich embodiments may be implemented;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary setting that includes an exemplarymanual device operable in a context;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary setting that includes a manual deviceoperable in a context;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary operational flow;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the operational flow of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary environment that includes a manualdevice having a writing element and operable in a context;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary environment in which embodiments may beimplemented;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary operational flow in which embodimentsmay be implemented;

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary environment 800 that includes ahandheld writing device 801 operable in a context 805;

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary environment in which embodiments may beimplemented;

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary operational flow;

FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary environment in which embodiments may beimplemented;

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary setting in which embodiments may beimplemented;

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary operational flow in which embodimentsmay be implemented;

FIG. 22 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow of FIG. 23;

FIG. 23 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 illustrates a further embodiment of the exemplary operationalflow of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 illustrates an exemplary setting in which embodiments may beimplemented;

FIG. 27 illustrates an exemplary setting in which embodiments may beimplemented;

FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary operational flow in which embodimentsmay be implemented;

FIG. 29 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow of FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow of FIG. 28;

FIG. 33 illustrates an exemplary setting in which embodiments may beimplemented;

FIG. 34 illustrates an exemplary operational flow;

FIG. 35 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow ofFIG. 34;

FIG. 36 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the operationalflow of FIG. 34;

FIG. 37 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the operationalflow of FIG. 34;

FIG. 38 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow ofFIG. 34; and

FIG. 39 illustrates a device in which embodiments may be implemented

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrated embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

FIG. 1 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief,general description of an environment in which embodiments may beimplemented. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system that includes a thincomputing device 20, which may be included in an electronic device thatalso includes a device functional element 50. For example, theelectronic device may include any item having electrical and/orelectronic components playing a role in a functionality of the item,such as a limited resource computing device, an electronic pen, ahandheld electronic writing device, a digital camera, a cell phone, aprinter, a refrigerator, a car, and an airplane. The thin computingdevice 20 includes a processing unit 21, a system memory 22, and asystem bus 23 that couples various system components including thesystem memory 22 to the processing unit 21. The system bus 23 may be anyof several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofbus architectures. The system memory includes read-only memory (ROM) 24and random access memory (RAM) 25. A basic input/output system (BIOS)26, containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween sub-components within the thin computing device 20, such asduring start-up, is stored in the ROM 24. A number of program modulesmay be stored in the ROM 24 and/or RAM 25, including an operating system28, one or more application programs 29, other program modules 30 andprogram data 31.

A user may enter commands and information into the computing device 20through input devices, such as a number of switches and buttons,illustrated as hardware buttons 44, connected to the system via asuitable interface 45. Input devices may further include atouch-sensitive display screen 32 with suitable input detectioncircuitry 33. The output circuitry of the touch-sensitive display 32 isconnected to the system bus 23 via a video driver 37. Other inputdevices may include a microphone 34 connected through a suitable audiointerface 35, and a physical hardware keyboard (not shown). In additionto the display 32, the computing device 20 may include other peripheraloutput devices, such as at least one speaker 38.

Other external input or output devices 39, such as a joystick, game pad,satellite dish, scanner or the like may be connected to the processingunit 21 through a USB port 40 and USB port interface 41, to the systembus 23. Alternatively, the other external input and output devices 39may be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, game portor other port. The computing device 20 may further include or be capableof connecting to a flash card memory (not shown) through an appropriateconnection port (not shown). The computing device 20 may further includeor be capable of connecting with a network through a network port 42 andnetwork interface 43, and through wireless port 46 and correspondingwireless interface 47 may be provided to facilitate communication withother peripheral devices, including other computers, printers, and so on(not shown). It will be appreciated that the various components andconnections shown are exemplary and other components and means ofestablishing communications links may be used.

The computing device 20 may be primarily designed to include a userinterface. The user interface may include a character, a key-based,and/or another user data input via the touch sensitive display 32. Theuser interface may include using a stylus (not shown). Moreover, theuser interface is not limited to an actual touch-sensitive panelarranged for directly receiving input, but may alternatively or inaddition respond to another input device such as the microphone 34. Forexample, spoken words may be received at the microphone 34 andrecognized. Alternatively, the computing device 20 may be designed toinclude a user interface having a physical keyboard (not shown).

The device functional elements 50 are typically application specific andrelated to a function of the electronic device, and is coupled with thesystem bus 23 through an interface (not shown). The functional elementmay typically perform a single well-defined task with little or no userconfiguration or setup, such as a refrigerator keeping food cold, a cellphone connecting with an appropriate tower and transceiving voice ordata information, and a camera capturing and saving an image.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary general-purpose computing system inwhich embodiments may be implemented, shown as a computing systemenvironment 100. Components of the computing system environment 100 mayinclude, but are not limited to, a computing device 110 having aprocessing unit 120, a system memory 130, and a system bus 121 thatcouples various system components including the system memory to theprocessing unit 120. The system bus 121 may be any of several types ofbus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By wayof example, and not limitation, such architectures include IndustryStandard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus,Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA)local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, also knownas Mezzanine bus.

The computing system environment 100 typically includes a variety ofcomputer-readable media products. Computer-readable media may includeany media that can be accessed by the computing device 110 and includeboth volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media.By way of example, and not of limitation, computer-readable media mayinclude computer storage media and communications media. Computerstorage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Computer storage media include, but arenot limited to, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flashmemory, or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks(DVD), or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium which can be used to store the desired information and which canbe accessed by the computing device 110. Communications media typicallyembody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules,or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism and include any information delivery media. The term“modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationsmedia include wired media such as a wired network and a direct-wiredconnection and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, optical, andinfrared media. Combinations of any of the above should also be includedwithin the scope of computer-readable media.

The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and nonvolatile memory such as ROM 131 and RAM 132. A basicinput/output system (BIOS) 133, containing the basic routines that helpto transfer information between elements within the computing device110, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132typically contains data and program modules that are immediatelyaccessible to or presently being operated on by processing unit 120. Byway of example, and not limitation, FIG. 2 illustrates an operatingsystem 134, application programs 135, other program modules 136, andprogram data 137. Often, the operating system 134 offers services toapplications programs 135 by way of one or more application programminginterfaces (APIs) (not shown). Because the operating system 134incorporates these services, developers of applications programs 135need not redevelop code to use the services. Examples of APIs providedby operating systems such as Microsoft's “WINDOWS” are well known in theart. In an embodiment, an information store may include a computerstorage media. In a further embodiment, an information store may includea group of digital information storage devices. In another embodiment,an information store may include a quantum memory device.

The computing device 110 may also include other removable/non-removable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media products. By way of exampleonly, FIG. 2 illustrates a non-removable non-volatile memory interface(hard disk interface) 140 that reads from and writes to non-removable,non-volatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 151 that reads fromand writes to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk 152, and anoptical disk drive 155 that reads from and writes to a removable,non-volatile optical disk 156 such as a CD ROM. Otherremovable/nonremovable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage mediathat can be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but arenot limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, DVDs,digital video tape, solid state RAM, and solid state ROM. The hard diskdrive 141 is typically connected to the system bus 121 through anon-removable memory interface, such as the interface 140, and magneticdisk drive 151 and optical disk drive 155 are typically connected to thesystem bus 121 by a removable non-volatile memory interface, such asinterface 150.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 2 provide storage of computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for thecomputing device 110. In FIG. 2, for example, hard disk drive 141 isillustrated as storing an operating system 144, application programs145, other program modules 146, and program data 147. Note that thesecomponents can either be the same as or different from the operatingsystem 134, application programs 135, other program modules 136, andprogram data 137. The operating system 144, application programs 145,other program modules 146, and program data 147 are given differentnumbers here to illustrate that, at a minimum, they are differentcopies. A user may enter commands and information into the computingdevice 110 through input devices such as a microphone 163, keyboard 162,and pointing device 161, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball, ortouch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include a joystick, gamepad, satellite dish, and scanner. These and other input devices areoften connected to the processing unit 120 through a user inputinterface 160 that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected byother interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port,or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor 191 or other type of displaydevice is also connected to the system bus 121 via an interface, such asa video interface 190. In addition to the monitor, computers may alsoinclude other peripheral output devices such as speakers 197 and printer196, which may be connected through an output peripheral interface 195.

The computing system environment 100 may operate in a networkedenvironment using logical connections to one or more remote computers,such as a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personalcomputer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device, or othercommon network node, and typically includes many or all of the elementsdescribed above relative to the computing device 110, although only amemory storage device 181 has been illustrated in FIG. 2. The logicalconnections depicted in FIG. 2 include a local area network (LAN) 171and a wide area network (WAN) 173, but may also include other networkssuch as a personal area network (PAN) (not shown). Such networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computernetworks, intranets, and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computing systemenvironment 100 is connected to the LAN 171 through a network interfaceor adapter 170. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computingdevice 110 typically includes a modem 172 or other means forestablishing communications over the WAN 173, such as the Internet. Themodem 172, which may be internal or external, may be connected to thesystem bus 121 via the user input interface 160, or via anotherappropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modulesdepicted relative to the computing device 110, or portions thereof, maybe stored in a remote memory storage device. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 2 illustrates remote application programs 185 asresiding on computer storage medium 181. It will be appreciated that thenetwork connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishinga communications link between the computers may be used.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are intended to provide a brief, general description of anillustrative and/or suitable exemplary environment in which embodimentsmay be implemented. An exemplary system may include the thin computingdevice 20 of FIG. 1 and/or the computing system environment 100 of FIG.2. FIGS. 1 and 2 are examples of a suitable environment and is notintended to suggest any limitation as to the structure, scope of use, orfunctionality of an embodiment. A particular environment should not beinterpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any oneor combination of components illustrated in an exemplary environment.For example, in certain instances, one or more elements of anenvironment may be deemed not necessary and omitted. In other instances,one or more other elements may be deemed necessary and added. Further,it will be appreciated that device(s) and/or environment(s) describedherein may include numerous electrical, mechanical, and/or digitalcomponents that may necessary to operate the device, but are not neededto illustrate the subject matter described herein. As such, some ofthese electrical, mechanical, and/or digital components may be omittedfrom the specification for clarity.

In the description that follows, certain embodiments may be describedwith reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations thatare performed by one or more computing devices, such as the computingdevice 110 of FIG. 2. As such, it will be understood that such acts andoperations, which are at times referred to as being computer-executed,include the manipulation by the processing unit of the computer ofelectrical signals representing data in a structured form. Thismanipulation transforms the data or maintains them at locations in thememory system of the computer, which reconfigures or otherwise altersthe operation of the computer in a manner well understood by thoseskilled in the art. The data structures in which data is maintained arephysical locations of the memory that have particular properties definedby the format of the data. However, while an embodiment is beingdescribed in the foregoing context, it is not meant to be limiting asthose of skill in the art will appreciate that the acts and operationsdescribed hereinafter may also be implemented in hardware.

Embodiments may be implemented with numerous other general-purpose orspecial-purpose computing devices and computing system environments orconfigurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments,and configurations that may be suitable for use with an embodimentinclude, but are not limited to, personal computers, handheld or laptopdevices, personal digital assistants, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumerelectronics, network, minicomputers, server computers, game servercomputers, web server computers, mainframe computers, and distributedcomputing environments that include any of the above systems or devices.

Embodiments may be described in a general context of computer-executableinstructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer.Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. An embodiment may also bepracticed in a distributed computing environment where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote computer storage mediaincluding memory storage devices.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary setting 200 that includes an exemplarymanual device 210 operable in a context 205. In an embodiment, themanual device includes a writing element 212 operable to form a mark 272on a surface 270 in response to a movement of the writing element withrespect to the surface. The manual device further includes a controller214 operable to encode information corresponding to the context 205 ofthe manual device by regulating the formation of the mark. An embodimentof the encoded information is illustrated in FIG. 3 as binary data 274linearly deposited along or incorporated into the mark. See FIGS. 4, 16,and 20 infra., for additional illustrated embodiments of the encodedinformation as binary data associated with the mark. Another embodimentof the encoded information is illustrated in FIG. 3 as a microscopicstructure or structures 276 proximally associated with the mark. Themovement of the writing element is illustrated in FIG. 3 as a“Generalized Movement” arrow. In an embodiment, the manual device mayinclude the thin computing device 20 of FIG. 1. The device functionalelements 50 of FIG. 1 may include the writing element 212 and/or thecontroller 214. In another embodiment, the manual device may include thecomputing device 110 of FIG. 2.

In an embodiment, the writing element 212 further includes a writingelement operable to discharge a marking substance 273 on a surface 270in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to thesurface. For example, the writing element may discharge the markingsubstance in response to a tip or nozzle (not shown) of the writingelement being dragged across the surface 270 in a manner similar to apen discharging ink as its tip is dragged across a surface in forming ahandwritten expression. In another embodiment, the writing elementfurther includes a writing element operable to initiate a visiblemarking action on a surface in response to a movement of the writingelement with respect to the surface. A visible marking action mayinclude a discharge of a visible marking fluid such as an ink. A visiblemarking action may include frictionally scraping a marking substancefrom the writing element in a manner similar to dragging a handheldinstrument that includes pencil lead across the surface. In a furtherembodiment, the writing element further includes a writing elementoperable to discharge at least one of ink, graphite, paint, particles,nanoparticles, and/or quantum dots marking substance on a surface inresponse to a movement of the writing element with respect to thesurface. For example, the writing element may include operability todischarge the microscopic structure or structures 276 that includeparticles, nanoparticles, and/or quantum dots. In an embodiment, anozzle (not shown) of the writing element may include operability todischarge one or more quantum dots selected by the controller 214 toencode information corresponding to the context 205 of the manual device210. For example, the nozzle operable to discharge the quantum dots maybe a nozzle different from the nozzle operable to discharge the markingsubstance. In another example, a single nozzle of the writing elementmay include operability to discharge both the quantum dots and themarking substance.

In an embodiment, the writing element 212 further includes a writingelement operable to discharge at least one of a visible and/or aninvisible marking substance 273 on a surface 270 in response to amovement of the writing element with respect to the surface. In anotherembodiment, the writing element further includes a writing elementoperable to discharge a fluorescent substance, such as an ink or amarker tag, on the surface in response to a movement of the writingelement with respect to the surface. In a further embodiment, thewriting element further includes a writing element including at leastone of a tip, an application element, an inkjet head, a nozzle, aninkjet nozzle, and/or a nib and being operable to form a mark on asurface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect tothe surface.

In an embodiment, the writing element 212 further includes a writingelement operable to at least one of emit, dispose, impart, release,eject, and/or flow a marking substance 273 on a surface 270 in responseto a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface. Inanother embodiment, the writing element further includes a writingelement operable to discharge a first instance of a marking substance ona surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respectto the surface and to discharge a second instance of the markingsubstance on the surface in response to the controller. In a furtherembodiment, the writing element further includes a writing elementoperable to form a mark on at least one of a skin, layer, paper, metal,plastic, and/or composite surface in response to a movement of thewriting element with respect to the surface.

In an embodiment, the writing element 212 further includes a writingelement operable to form a mark 272 on a surface 270 of at least one ofa container, a package, a living body, a human body, and/or an object inresponse to a movement of the writing element with respect to thesurface. In another embodiment, the writing element further includes awriting element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to amovement of the writing element with respect to the surface, the markincluding a single mark and/or a succession of marks left by a passageof the writing element. In a further embodiment, the writing elementfurther includes a writing element operable to form a track on a surfacein response to a movement of the writing element with respect to thesurface. In another embodiment, the writing element further includes awriting element operable to cause a thermal marking process on a surfacein response to a movement of the writing element with respect to thesurface. In a further embodiment, the writing element further includes awriting element operable to cause a marking interaction with a media inresponse to a movement of the writing element with respect to the media.

In an embodiment, the controller 214 further includes a controlleroperable to encode information corresponding to the context 205 of themanual device 210 by regulating a discharge of a marking substance 273.In another embodiment, the controller further includes a controlleroperable to encode information corresponding to the context of themanual device by regulating a discharge of at least one of a visibleand/or invisible marking substance. In a further embodiment, thecontroller further includes a controller operable to encode informationcorresponding to at least one of time, location, global position,temperature, acceleration of the writing element, user identificationand/or user data context of the manual device by regulating a dischargeof a marking substance.

In an embodiment, the controller 214 further includes a controlleroperable to encode information corresponding to at least one of anidentification of a human being 280 proximate to the manual device 210,and/or an identification of a physical object (for example, see aphysical object 1184 at FIG. 20, infra.) proximate to manual device byregulating a discharge of a marking substance. In another embodiment,the controller further includes a controller operable to encodeinformation corresponding to the context of the manual device byregulating at least one of volume, continuity, color, and/or pattern ofa discharge of a marking substance. In a further embodiment, thecontroller further includes a controller operable to encode informationcorresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating a widthof a line formed on the surface by a discharge of a marking substance.

In an embodiment, the controller 214 further includes a controlleroperable to encode information corresponding to the context 205 of themanual device 210 by regulating an orthogonal aspect of the mark 272relative to a movement of the writing element 212. In anotherembodiment, the controller further includes a controller operable toencode information corresponding to the context of the manual device byregulating at least one of amplitude, frequency, differential shift,and/or parameter of an orthogonal formation of the mark relative to amovement of the writing element. In a further embodiment, the controllerfurther includes a controller operable to encode informationcorresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating theformation of the mark, the regulated formation corresponding to auser-unique movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.For example, an ancillary module 228 may include an accelerometer and anoperability to distinguish hand driven acceleration patterns imparted tothe manual device from among at least two people.

In an embodiment, the controller 214 further includes a controlleroperable to encode information corresponding to the context 205 of themanual device 210 by regulating the formation of the mark 272. Theregulated-formed mark being machine differentiatable from a usermovement formation of the writing element with respect to the surface.For example, in an embodiment, the mark is formed such that acomputer-implemented reader is able to distinguish and/or differentiatebetween a handwritten expression formed by the mark and the encodedinformation in the mark corresponding to the context. In anotherembodiment, the controller further includes a controller operable toencode information in a machine-readable form and corresponding to thecontext of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark. Ina further embodiment, the controller further includes a controlleroperable to encode information in a human-readable form andcorresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating theformation of the mark. For example, the information encoded in the markmay include a human-readable text indicating an aspect of the context.For example, a time the mark was formed may be indicated in smalltypeface within the mark. In such an embodiment, the mark may appear asa conventional handwritten expression when viewed from a normal readingdistance, but on a close view or when viewed through magnification, thesmall typeface indicating the time becomes visible.

In an embodiment, the manual device 210 further includes a receiver 216operable to acquire the information corresponding to the context 205 ofthe manual device. The receiver is illustrated as a receiver ortransceiver. In another embodiment, the receiver operable to acquire theinformation corresponding to the context of the manual device mayinclude a receiver operable to directly sense the informationcorresponding to the context of the manual device. In a furtherembodiment, the receiver operable to acquire the informationcorresponding to the context of the manual device may further include areceiver operable to receive information sent by a transmitting sensor238, the received information corresponding to the context of the manualdevice.

In an embodiment, the manual device 210 may further include a sensor 218operable to acquire the information corresponding to the context 205 ofthe manual device. In another embodiment, the sensor operable to acquirethe information corresponding to the context of the manual devicefurther includes a sensor operable to sense the informationcorresponding to the context of the manual device. In a furtherembodiment, the sensor operable to acquire the information correspondingto the context of the manual device further includes a sensor operableto receive information corresponding to the context of the manualdevice. For example, the sensor 210 may receive informationcorresponding to the context of the manual device from an externaltransmitting sensor 238. In another embodiment, the sensor operable toacquire the information corresponding to the context of the manualdevice further includes a sensor operable to capture informationcorresponding to a visual aspect of the surface. In a furtherembodiment, the sensor operable to acquire and transmit the informationcorresponding to the context of the manual device further includes asensor operable to capture information corresponding to an acousticalaspect of the surface.

In an embodiment, the manual device 210 further includes a reservoir 224configured to contain a supply of a marking substance. In anotherembodiment, the manual device further includes a memory 226 configurableby file that includes at least one instance of the context 205 of themanual device and a code indicative of the context of the manual markingdevice. In a further embodiment, the manual device further includes animage device 222 operable to capture an aspect of the surface.

In use, the writing element creating the mark, such as for example ahand formed expression in the English language, will generally move in aleft to right direction as illustrated by the “General Movement” andwill include specific small hand driven movements generally orthogonalto the “General Movement.” In another language or instance, a handformed expression may include a different general movement, such as in aright to left direction. In an embodiment, a human user 280 may grip orhold the manual device 210 in their hand and move the writing element212 across a surface 270, such as a piece of paper, making incrementalmovements in various directions as one does when handwriting, butgenerally moving in the Generalized Movement direction as indicated inFIG. 3, to form the mark 272 on the surface. At one or more times duringthe Generalized Movement, or thereafter, the controller causesinformation corresponding to the context 205 to be encoded in the mark,such as the encoded information 274 and/or the encoded information 276.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary setting 300 that includes a manualdevice 310 operable in a context 305. The manual device includes a body311, a writing instrument 330, a sensor 312, and a controller 318. Thewriting instrument has an electronically driven printhead 332 operableto discharge a marking substance 373 on a surface 370 in response to amovement of at least a portion of the body over the surface. The sensorincludes a sensor operable to acquire information corresponding to acontext 305 of the manual device. The controller includes a controlleroperable to encode the information 374 corresponding to the context ofthe manual device by regulating a discharge of the marking substance 373from the electronically driven print head.

In an embodiment, the body 311 further includes a generally elongatedbody. In another embodiment, the body further includes a generallyelongated body having a graspable portion. In a further embodiment, thebody further includes a generally elongated body having a hand-graspableportion 340.

In an embodiment, the writing instrument 330 having an electronicallydriven printhead 332 further includes a writing instrument having anelectronically driven printhead with a nozzle 334 operable to dischargea marking substance 373 on a surface 370. In another embodiment, thewriting instrument having an electronically driven printhead furtherincludes a writing instrument having an electronically driven printheadwith at least two nozzles each respectively operable to discharge amarking substance on a surface in response to a movement of at least aportion of the body over the surface (a second nozzle is not shown).

In an embodiment, the sensor 312 further includes a sensor operable toacquire information corresponding to a user of the manual device 310. Inanother embodiment, the sensor further includes a sensor operable toacquire information corresponding to an environmental context 305 of themanual device. In a further embodiment, the manual device furtherincludes a reservoir 322 configured to contain a supply of the markingsubstance. In another embodiment, the manual device further includes amemory 324 configurable by file that includes at least one instance of acontext of the manual device and a code useable by the controller andcorresponding to the context of the manual device. In a furtherembodiment, the manual device further includes an imaging device 314operable to capture an aspect of the surface 370.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary setting where the writing element 330 ofthe manual device 310 wrote or formed the characters “10:01 AM” inresponse to a hand driven movement of at least a portion of the body 311over the surface 370. An initial portion of a stoke or a movement of thewriting element in forming a character occurs at a point 375, and isillustrated as points 375A-375D. The sensor 312 has acquired a time of“10:12 AM” as a clock-time environment aspect associated with theformation of the handwritten characters “10:01 AM,” and encoded theclock-time environment aspect into the handwriting. The clock-timeenvironment aspect “10:12 is encoded in binary format into thedischarged substance 373 as 1010 1100 (374) read from the initialportion of each stroke 375.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary operational flow 400. After a startoperation, the operational flow proceeds to an obtaining operation 410.The obtaining operation acquires information corresponding to a contextof a manual device having a writing element. An inscription operation430 marks a surface in response to a movement of the writing elementwith respect to the surface. An insertion operation 450 encodesinformation corresponding to a context of the manual device byregulating the marking of the surface. The operational flow thenproceeds to an end operation.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow 400of FIG. 5. The obtaining operation 410 may include at least oneadditional operation. The at least one additional operation may includean operation 412, an operation 414, and/or an operation 416. Theoperation 412 senses information corresponding to a context of a manualdevice having a writing element. The operation 414 receives informationcorresponding to a context of a manual device from a sensor notphysically associated with the manual device. The operation 416 includesat least one of emitting, dispersing, imparting, releasing, ejecting,and/or flowing a marking substance from the writing element and on asurface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect tothe surface.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow 400of FIG. 5. The inscription operation 430 may include at least oneadditional operation. The at least one additional operation may includean operation 432, and/or an operation 434. The operation 432 marks asurface with a stylus in response to a movement of the writing elementwith respect to the surface. The operation 434 discharges from thewriting element a marking substance onto a surface in response to amovement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the operational flow 400 ofFIG. 5. The insertion operation 450 may include at least one additionaloperation. The at least one additional operation may include anoperation 452, an operation 454, an operation 456, and/or an operation458. The operation 452 encodes information corresponding to a context ofthe manual device by regulating the marking of the surface with astylus. The operation 454 encodes information corresponding to a contextof the manual device by regulating the discharge of the markingsubstance on the surface. The operation 456 encodes informationcorresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating anorthogonal component of the marking of the surface. The operation 458encodes information corresponding to a context of the manual device byregulating least one of amplitude, frequency, and/or differential shiftparameter of the marking of the surface.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary environment 500 that includes a manualdevice 501 having a writing element and operable in a context 505. Themanual device includes means 510 for acquiring information correspondingto the context of the manual device having a writing element. The manualdevice also includes means 520 for marking a surface in response to amovement of the writing element with respect to the surface. The manualdevice further includes means 530 for encoding information correspondingto a context of the manual device by regulating the marking of thesurface.

In an alternative embodiment, the means 520 includes means 522 fordischarging from the writing element a marking substance onto a surfacein response to a movement of the writing element with respect to thesurface. In a further embodiment, the means 530 includes means 532 forencoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device byregulating a discharge of a marking substance.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary environment 600 in which embodimentsmay be implemented. The exemplary environment includes an apparatus 610and a context 605 of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a writingelement 612 having a first writing portion 612A operable to discharge afirst marking 673 substance on a surface 670 in response to a movementof the writing element over the surface. The writing element also has asecond writing portion 612B operable to discharge a second markingsubstance 676 on the surface in response to a controller 614.Alternative embodiments of the second marking substance are illustratedas one or more microparticles 676A and a barcode 676B. The apparatusalso includes the controller operable to encode informationcorresponding to the context of the apparatus by regulating thedischarge of the second marking substance 676.

In an embodiment, the writing element 612 further includes a firstwriting portion 612A having a first orifice operable to discharge afirst marking substance 673 on a surface in response to a movement ofthe writing element over the surface. The writing element also includesa second writing portion 612B having a second orifice operable dischargea second marking 676 substance on the surface in response to acontroller (the orifices are not shown). For example, a single writingelement may include two orifices each respectively operable to dischargea marking substance. In another embodiment, the writing element furtherincludes a writing element having a first portion operable to dischargea first marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of thewriting element over the surface and a second portion operable dischargea second marking substance on the surface in response to a controller.The first portion of a writing element is proximate to the secondportion of the writing element (the proximate first and seconddischarging portions are not shown). In another embodiment, the writingelement further includes a writing element having a first portionoperable to discharge a first marking substance on a surface in responseto a movement of the writing element over the surface and a secondportion operable discharge a second marking substance on the surface inresponse to a controller. The first portion of a writing element isspaced-apart from the second portion of the writing element. FIG. 10illustrates an embodiment of the spaced-apart configuration, where thefirst portion of the writing element 612A is located at an end of alongitudinal body in a manner similar to a pen, pencil, or other commonwriting instrument. The second portion 612B of the writing element islocated at another or opposing end of the longitudinal body in a mannersimilar to an eraser end of a pencil. In a further embodiment, thedevice may be described as including two spaced-apart writing elements—awriting element 612A having an orifice operable to discharge a firstmarking and a writing element 612B having an orifice operable todischarge a second marking substance (the orifices are not shown).

In operation of an embodiment, a human user 680 may grip or hold theapparatus 610 in a hand, and with a hand movement, move the apparatusand the first portion 612A of the writing element across the surface 670in a manner similar to writing on a sheet of paper with a pen. The firstmarking substance 673 is deposited on the surface in response to themovement. For example, the user may guide the first portion of thewriting element to across the surface in a manner to form a markrepresentative of a word, to create a line, and/or to draw an object onthe surface. The human user may stop writing with the first portion ofthe writing element, turn the apparatus end-for-end, and make a movementof the second portion 612B with respect to the surface. For example, theuser may move the second portion across the surface in a swipingmovement to discharge the second marking substance 676. The controllerencodes information corresponding to a context of the apparatus byregulating the discharge of the second marking substance. FIG. 10illustrates an aspect of the discharge of the second marking substancewhere the controller encodes information corresponding to a context 605of the apparatus by regulating the discharge of the second markingsubstance to form a bar code pattern on the surface, illustrated as theone-dimensional bar code 676B. By way of further example, the user maymove the second portion against the surface, such as in a tappingmovement, and the controller encodes information corresponding to acontext 605 of the apparatus by regulating the discharge the secondmarking substance in a form of one or more micorparticles 676A.

In an embodiment, the writing element 612 further includes a writingelement having a first portion 612A operable to discharge a firstmarking substance 673 on a surface in response to a movement of thewriting element over the surface and a second portion 612B operabledischarge a second marking substance 676 on the surface in response to acontroller 614. The second marking substance is at least substantiallysimilar to the first marking substance. In another embodiment, thewriting further includes a writing element having a first portionoperable to discharge a first marking substance on a surface in responseto a movement of the writing element over the surface and a secondportion operable discharge a second marking substance on the surface.The second marking substance is at least substantially dissimilar to thefirst marking substance. In a further embodiment, the writing elementfurther includes a writing element having a first portion operable todischarge a first marking substance on a surface in response to amovement of the writing element over the surface and a second portionoperable discharge a second marking substance on the surface in responseto a controller. The second marking substance is a same markingsubstance as the first marking substance.

In an embodiment, the writing element 612 further includes a writingelement having a first portion 612A operable to discharge a firstmarking substance 673 on a surface 670 in response to a movement of thewriting element over the surface and a second portion 612B operabledischarge a second marking substance on the surface in response to acontroller 614. The second marking substance includes at least one ofvisible and/or invisible marking substance. In another embodiment, thewriting element further includes a writing element having a firstportion operable to discharge a first marking substance on a surface inresponse to a movement of the writing element over the surface and asecond portion operable discharge a second marking substance on thesurface in response to a controller. The second marking substanceincludes at least one of ink, graphite, paint, particles, nanoparticles,and/or quantum dots. In a further embodiment, the writing elementfurther includes a writing element having a first portion operable todischarge a first marking substance on a surface in response to amovement of the writing element over the surface and a second portionoperable discharge in response to a controller a second markingsubstance in two dimensions on the surface. For example, discharging amarking substance in two dimensions on the surface may include forming atwo dimensional bar code. See a bar code 979E at FIG. 16 infra.

In an embodiment, the controller 614 further includes a controlleroperable to encode information corresponding to a context 605 of theapparatus 610 by regulating the discharge of the second markingsubstance 676 in a manner that is at least substantially independent ofthe movement of the writing element 612 over the surface. In anotherembodiment, the controller further includes a controller operable toencode information corresponding to a context of the apparatus byregulating an orthogonal discharge of the second marking substancerelative to a movement of the writing element.

In an embodiment, the apparatus 610 further includes a sensor 618operable to acquire the information corresponding to a context 605 ofthe apparatus. In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes asensor operable to acquire and transmit the information corresponding toa context of the apparatus. In a further embodiment, the apparatusfurther includes an imaging device 622 operable to capture an aspect ofthe surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes areservoir 624 configured to contain a supply at least one of the firstmarking substance and/or the second marking substance. In a furtherembodiment, the apparatus includes a memory 626 configurable by filethat includes at least one instance of a context of the apparatus and acode indicative of the context of the apparatus.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary operational flow 700 in whichembodiments may be implemented. After a start operation, the operationalflow moves to a procuring operation 710. The procuring operationacquires information corresponding to a context of a handheld writingdevice having at least two electronically driven printheads. A writingoperation 730 discharges a marking substance from a first electronicallydriven printhead of the at least two electronically driven printheads inresponse to a movement of the handheld writing device vis-à-vis asurface. An insertion operation 750 encodes the informationcorresponding to a context of the handheld writing device by regulatinga discharge of a second marking substance from a second electronicallydriven printhead of the at least two electronically driven printheads.The operational flow then proceeds to an end operation.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow 700 of FIG. 11. The procuring operation 710 may includeat least one additional operation. The at least one additional operationmay include an operation 712, an operation 714, an operation 716, and/oran operation 718. The operation 712 senses information corresponding toa context of a handheld writing device having at least twoelectronically driven printheads. The operation 714 receives informationcorresponding to a context of a handheld writing device having at leasttwo electronically driven printheads from a sensor not physicallycoupled with the handheld writing device. In an embodiment, theoperation 714 includes wirelessly receiving the information. Theoperation 716 acquires information corresponding to an environmentalcontext of a handheld writing device having at least two electronicallydriven printheads. The operation 718 acquires information correspondingto a user context of a handheld writing device having at least twoelectronically driven printheads.

FIG. 13 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow 700 of FIG. 11. The writing operation 730 may includeat least one additional operation. The at least one additional operationmay include an operation 732, and/or an operation 734. The operation 732includes at least one of emitting, dispersing, imparting, releasing,ejecting, and/or flowing a marking substance from a first electronicallydriven printhead of the at least two electronically driven printheads inresponse to a movement of the handheld writing device vis-à-vis asurface. The operation 734 discharges at least one of ink, graphite,paint, particles, nanoparticles, and/or quantum dots from a firstelectronically driven printhead of the at least two electronicallydriven printheads in response to a movement of the handheld writingdevice vis-à-vis a surface.

FIG. 14 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow 700 of FIG. 11. The insertion operation 750 may includeat least one additional operation. The at least one additional operationmay include an operation 752, an operation 754, and/or an operation 756.The operation 752 encodes the information corresponding to a context ofthe handheld writing device by regulating a parameter of a discharge ofa second marking substance from a second electronically driven printheadof the at least two electronically driven printheads. The operation 754encodes the information corresponding to a context of the handheldwriting device by regulating a discharge of a second marking substancefrom a second electronically driven printhead of the at least twoelectronically driven printheads. The second marking substance is atleast substantially similar with the first marking substance. Theoperation 756 encodes the information corresponding to a context of thehandheld writing device by regulating a discharge of a second markingsubstance from a second electronically driven printhead of the at leasttwo electronically driven printheads. The first electronically drivenprint head is proximate to the second electronically driven printhead.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary environment 800 that includes ahandheld writing device 801 operable in a context 805. The handheldwriting device includes means 810 for acquiring informationcorresponding to a context of the handheld writing device having atleast two electronically driven printheads. The handheld writing devicealso includes means 820 for discharging a marking substance from a firstelectronically driven printhead of the at least two electronicallydriven printheads in response to a movement of the handheld writingdevice vis-à-vis a surface. The handheld writing device further includesmeans 830 for encoding the information corresponding to a context of thehandheld writing device by regulating the discharge of a second markingsubstance from a second electronically driven printhead of the at leasttwo electronically driven printheads.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary environment 900 in which embodimentsmay be implemented. The environment includes a device 910 and a surface970. The surface 970 includes instances of digital information encodedin a hand-formed expression formed on a surface by a handheld writingdevice. In an illustrative embodiment, instance 973 includes ahand-formed expression “10:01 AM Closed chest incision” followed byinitials “BC.” A portion of the hand-formed expression “10:01 AM” isenlarged instance “10:01” (973E). Enlarged instance 973E illustrates thedigital information encoded in the hand-formed expression “10:01 AM,” asbinary digital information 1010 1100 (974). The encoded digitalinformation corresponds to a time when the expression was formed on thesurface by handheld writing device. Instance 977 includes a hand-formedexpression “11:18 AM Patient awoke from anesthetic” followed by initials“EL.” Instance 973 and/or instance 977 may have been formed by themanual device 210 described in conjunction with FIG. 3, the manualdevice 310 described in conjunction with FIG. 4, the apparatus 610described in conjunction with FIG. 10, the handheld writing device 801described in conjunction with FIG. 15, the manual device 1210 describedin conjunction with FIG. 20, the device 1401 described in conjunctionwith FIG. 26, the manual device 1510 of FIG. 27, the device 1701described in conjunction with FIG. 33, and/or the device 1900 describedin conjunction with FIG. 39. The surface also includes a two-dimensionalmark illustrated by a two-dimensional barcode 979, an enlargement ofwhich is two-dimensional barcode 979E. The two dimensional mark may havebeen formed by one or more of the above devices or apparatus.

The device 910 includes an imaging circuit 914, a translator circuit916, and a correlation circuit 918. The imaging circuit includes animaging circuit operable to acquire digital information encoded in ahand-formed expression formed on a surface by a handheld writing device.The digital information corresponding to an environment of the handheldwriting device when the expression was formed on the surface. Thetranslator circuit includes a translator circuit operable to decode thedigital information corresponding to an environment of the handheldwriting device when the expression was formed on the surface. Thetranslator circuit may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware,and/or a combination thereof. The correlation circuit includes acorrelation circuit operable to generate a signal indicative of theenvironment of the handheld writing device when the expression wasformed on the surface.

The device 910 is illustrated in an embodiment where a reader unit 912is coupled to a body 911 that includes the translator circuit 916 andthe correlation unit 918. In another embodiment of the device, thesecomponents may be included in a single physical enclosure, or at leasttwo physical enclosures.

In an embodiment, the imaging circuit 914 further includes an imagingcircuit operable to acquire digital information 974 encoded in ahand-formed expression formed by a handheld stylus moving on a surface970. The digital information corresponding to an environment of thehandheld stylus when the expression was formed on the surface. Inanother embodiment, the imaging circuit further includes an imagingcircuit operable to acquire digital information encoded in a hand-formedexpression formed by a substance deposited by a handheld writing deviceon a surface. The digital information corresponding to an environment ofthe handheld device when the substance was deposited on the surface. Ina further embodiment, the imaging circuit further includes an imagingcircuit operable to acquire digital information encoded in at least oneof a line, grid, path, stroke, and/or spot hand-formed on a surface by ahandheld writing device. The digital information corresponding to anenvironment of the handheld writing device when the at least one of aline, grid, path, stroke, and/or spot was formed on the surface.

In an embodiment, the imaging circuit 914 further includes an imagingcircuit operable to acquire digital information 974 encoded in at leastone of a line, grid, path, stroke, and/or spot hand-formed by asubstance deposited on a surface 970 by a handheld writing device. Thedigital information corresponding to an environment of the handheldwriting device when the substance was deposited on the surface. Inanother embodiment, the imaging circuit further includes an imagingcircuit operable to acquire digital information encoded in a markingsubstance deposited on a surface by a handheld writing device. Thedigital information corresponding to an environment of the handheldwriting device when the marking substance was deposited on the surface.In a further embodiment, the imaging circuit further includes an imagingcircuit operable to acquire digital information encoded in at least oneof a visible and/or invisible marking substance deposited on a surfaceby a handheld writing device. The digital information corresponding toan environment of the handheld writing device when the marking substancewas deposited on the surface.

In an embodiment, the imaging circuit 914 further includes an imagingcircuit operable to acquire digital information 974 encoded in afluorescent substance deposited on a surface 970 by a handheld writingdevice. The digital information corresponding to an environment of thehandheld writing device when the fluorescent substance was deposited onthe surface. In another embodiment, the imaging circuit further includesan imaging circuit operable to acquire digital information encoded in ahand-formed expression formed on a surface of at least one of acontainer, a package, a living body, a human body, and/or an object by ahandheld writing device. The digital information corresponding to anenvironment of the handheld writing device when the expression wasformed on the surface. In a further embodiment, the imaging circuitfurther includes an imaging circuit operable to acquire digitalinformation encoded in a hand-formed expression formed on at least oneof a skin, layer, paper, metal, plastic, and/or composite surface by ahandheld writing device. The digital information corresponding to anenvironment of the handheld writing device when the expression wasformed on the surface.

In an embodiment, the imaging circuit 914 further includes an imagingcircuit operable to acquire digital information 974 encoded in ahand-formed expression formed on a surface 970 by a handheld writingdevice. The digital information corresponding to an environment of thehandheld writing device contemporaneous with the formation of theexpression on the surface. In a further embodiment, the imaging circuitfurther includes an imaging circuit operable to acquire digitalinformation encoded in a hand-formed expression formed on a surface by ahandheld writing device. The digital information corresponding to anenvironment temporarily proximate to when the expression was formed onthe surface.

In another embodiment, the translator circuit 916 further includes atranslator circuit operable to decode the digital information 974corresponding to at least one of a user context and/or an externalcontext of the handheld writing device when the expression was formed onthe surface 970. In an embodiment, the device 910 further includes amemory 922 configurable by a file that includes at least one correlationbetween an instance of encoded digital information and an environment ofthe handheld marking device. In a further embodiment, the device furtherincludes a memory configurable by a file that includes at least one userestablished correlation between an instance of encoded digitalinformation and an environment of the handheld marking device. Inanother embodiment, the device further includes a display 930 operableto broadcast a human viewable image 932 indicative of the environment ofthe handheld writing device when the expression was formed on thesurface.

In use of an embodiment, the device 910 may be used to read instances ofdigital information encoded in a hand-formed line. In the illustrativeembodiment described above, the surface 970 includes the hand-formedexpression 973 “10:01 AM Closed chest incision” followed by initials“BC.” The imaging circuit 914 of the reader unit 912 is used to acquirethe digital information 974 encoded in a hand-formed expressionindicative of the environment of the handheld writing device when theexpression was hand-formed. The digital information includes the binaryinformation 1010 1100 (974) and other information such as theidentification of the person using the instrument to make thehand-formed expression (not shown). The translator circuit 916 decodesthe binary information. The correlation circuit 918 generates a signalindicating that the environment of the handheld writing device when theexpression was hand-formed includes a time of 10:12 AM and that theperson holding the writing instrument was Dr. Smith. In anotherembodiment, the display 930 broadcasts a human viewable image 932indicating the occurrence time as 10:12 AM and that the person holdingthe writing instrument was Dr. Smith. A person viewing the display mayform an opinion about the accuracy of the hand-formed expression 973,and/or may inquire further of Dr. Smith about whether Dr. Smith uses theinitials “BC” as a self-identifier when preparing patient records.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary operational flow 1000 in whichembodiments may be implemented. After a start operation, the operationalflow moves to an obtaining operation 1010. The obtaining operationacquires information encoded in a track formed on a surface by a manualwriting device. The encoded information corresponding to a context ofthe manual writing device proximate to when the substance was deposited.A decode operation 1030 interprets the encoded information. Acommunication operation 1050 generates a signal indicative of thecontext of the manual writing device when the substance was deposited.The operational flow then proceeds to an end operation.

FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow 1000 of FIG. 17. The obtaining operation 1010 mayinclude at least one additional operation. The at least one additionaloperation may include an operation 1012, and/or an operation 1014. Theoperation 1012 acquires information encoded in a track formed by asubstance deposited on a surface by a manual writing device. Theoperation 1014 acquires information encoded in a track formed by asubstance deposited on a surface by a handheld manual writing device.The decode operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation,such as an operation 1032. The operation 1032 interprets encodedinformation based at least in part in response to a file that includesat least one correlation between an instance of encoded information anda context of the manual marking device.

In an alternative embodiment, the exemplary operational flow 1000includes broadcasting a human viewable image indicative of the contextof the manual writing device when the substance was deposited 1060.

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary environment 1000 in which embodimentsmay be implemented. The exemplary environment includes a device 1101 anda context 1105 of the device. The device includes means 1110 foracquiring information encoded in a track formed on a surface by a manualwriting device. The encoded information corresponds to a context of themanual writing device when the substance was deposited. The device alsoincludes means 1120 for interpreting the encoded information. The devicefurther includes means 1130 for generating a signal indicative of thecontext of the manual writing device when the substance was deposited.In an alternative embodiment, the device further includes means 1140 forbroadcasting a human viewable image indicative of the context of themanual writing device when the substance was deposited.

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary setting 1200 in which embodiments maybe implemented. The exemplary environment includes a system 1201operable in an environment 1205 that includes at least one aspect. Thesystem includes a manual device 1210, a sensor, illustrated as a sensor1218 and/or a sensor 1292, and a verification module, illustrated as averification module 1216 and/or a verification module 1296. In anembodiment, the system may include identification device, such as forexample an RFID tags, illustrated as a Badge 1 worn by a human user1280, a Badge 2 attached to object 1284, and/or a Badge 3 worn by aproximate human 1282.

The manual device 1210 includes a writing element 1212 operable todischarge a marking substance 1273 on a surface 1270 in response to amovement of the writing element upon the surface. The sensor 1218 and/or1292 is operable to acquire information corresponding to an environmentof the manual device. The verification module 1216 and/or 1296 isoperable to determine a correspondence between a first aspect of theenvironment 1205 of the manual device and a second aspect of theenvironment of the manual device.

In an alternative embodiment, the manual device 1210 further includes ahandheld manual device including a writing element 1212 operable todischarge a marking substance 1273 on a surface 1270 in response to amovement of the writing element upon the surface. In another embodiment,the manual device further includes a handheld electronic writing deviceincluding a writing element operable to discharge a marking substance ona surface in response to a movement of the writing element upon thesurface. In a further embodiment, the manual device further includes amanual device including a writing element operable to discharge amarking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writingelement upon a surface of a body, a package, and/or an object.

In an embodiment, the manual device 1210 further includes a manualdevice including a writing element 1212 operable to discharge a markingsubstance 1273 on a surface 1270 in response to a movement of thewriting element upon the surface and a controller 1214 operable toregulate the discharge of the marking substance. In an embodiment of themanual device including a controller, the manual device further includesa manual device including a writing element operable to discharge amarking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writingelement upon the surface and a controller operable to encode information1274 corresponding to an environment 1205 of the manual device byregulating the discharge of the marking substance. In an embodiment ofthe immediately previous manual device, the manual device furtherincludes a manual device including a writing element operable todischarge a marking substance on a surface in response to a movement ofthe writing element upon the surface. The manual device also furtherincludes a controller operable to acquire a code useful in encodinginformation corresponding to an environment of the manual device and toencode the information corresponding to an environment of the manualdevice by regulating the discharge of the marking substance. Forexample, the controller may acquire the code from an information storagedevice, illustrated as a memory 1226, and/or a memory 1294. In a furtherembodiment of the manual device including a controller, the manualdevice further includes a manual device including a writing elementoperable to discharge a marking substance on a surface in response to amovement of the writing element upon the surface. The manual device alsofurther includes a controller operable to inhibit the discharge of themarking substance if a condition is not met. For example, a discharge ofthe marking substance may be inhibited if a correspondence is not foundbetween a sensor-acquired user identification and user-entered useridentification. In another example, a discharge of the marking substancemay be inhibited if no verification of a user identification occurs. Ina further example, a discharge of the marking substance may be inhibitedif a patient prescription is attempted to be entered in a drug orderbook by a provider whose sensed identification or self-enteredidentification does not correspond with a predesignated attendingphysician or provider for the patient. Other conditions may include amarking for a surgical treatment not listed in a predesignated file oftreatments or procedures for a patient, writing an order for a drug towhich the patient is allergic. Another example may include writing ashipping address that does not correspond to a preauthorized shippingaddress saved in a memory device.

In an embodiment, the manual device 1210 further includes a manualdevice including a writing element 1212 operable to discharge a markingsubstance 1273 on a surface 1270 in response to a movement of thewriting element upon the surface. The manual device also includes thesensor 1218 operable to acquire information corresponding to anenvironment 1205 of the manual device.

In another embodiment, the system 1201 further includes an electronicdevice 1290 that includes the sensor 1292 operable to acquireinformation 1274 corresponding to an environment 1205 of the manualdevice. In an embodiment, the electronic device may include the thincomputing device 20 of FIG. 1. In another embodiment, the electronicdevice may include the computing device 110 of FIG. 2. In anotherembodiment, the sensor 1218 and/or 1292 further includes a sensoroperable to acquire information corresponding to at least one of time,location, global position, acceleration, temperature, useridentification and/or user data environment of the manual device. In afurther embodiment, the sensor further includes a sensor operable toacquire information corresponding to at least one of a characteristic ofa human touching the manual device, a characteristic of a humanproximate to the manual device, and/or a characteristic of a physicalobject proximate to manual device. For example, a characteristic mayinclude a name and/or identification of a human.

In an embodiment, the sensor 1218 and/or 1292 further includes a sensorincluding an imaging element 1222 operable to acquire informationcorresponding to a visual and/or acoustical aspect of the surface 1270.In another embodiment, the sensor further includes a sensor operable toacquire information from at least one of a radio frequencyidentification tag, a passive radio frequency identification tag, asemi-passive radio frequency identification tag, and/or an active radiofrequency identification tag. In a further embodiment, the sensorfurther includes a sensor operable to acquire information from a radiofrequency identification device associatable with at least one of ahuman 1280, 1282, and/or an object 1284. In another embodiment, thesensor further includes a sensor operable to acquire informationcorresponding to an environment of the manual device and wirelesslytransmit the acquired information to the manual device 1210.

In an embodiment, the manual device 1210 further includes a manualdevice including a writing element 1212 operable to discharge a markingsubstance 1273 on a surface 1270 in response to a movement of thewriting element upon the surface. The manual device also furtherincludes the memory 1226 configurable by a file that includes datauseful in a verification of the environment 1205 of the manual device.In another embodiment, the manual device surface further includes amanual device including a the memory 1226 configurable by a file thatincludes data useful in a verification of the environment of the manualdevice. The manual device also further includes the sensor 1218 operableto acquire information corresponding to the environment of the manualdevice.

In an embodiment, the system 1200 further includes a computing device1290 that includes the memory 1294 configurable by a file that includesdata useful in a verification of the environment 1205 of the manualdevice 1210. The computing device is operable to communicate wirelesslywith the manual device. The computing device further includes the sensor1292 operable to acquire information corresponding to the environment ofthe manual device. In an embodiment, the computing device may includethe thin computing device 20 of FIG. 1. In another embodiment, thecomputing device may include the computing device 110 of FIG. 2.

In an embodiment, the storage device 1226 and/or 1294 further includes astorage device configurable by a file that includes at least oneinstance of an aspect of the environment 1205 of the manual device 1210and a code indicative of the environment of the manual marking device.In another embodiment, the storage device further includes a storagedevice configurable by a file that includes at least one instance ofmedical information corresponding to a patient. In a further embodiment,the storage device further includes a storage device configurable by apatient medical information file that includes at least one instance ofan identification of an attending physician, an identification of anancillary physician, a treatment plan, a patient prescription, and/or amedical image corresponding to the patient. In another embodiment, thestorage device further includes a storage device configurable by a filethat includes at least one instance of a correspondence of a radiofrequency identification device with a human and/or with an objectassociatable with the radio frequency identification device. In afurther embodiment, the storage device further includes a storage deviceconfigurable by a file that includes data useful in a verification of abook, a shipping container, a package and/or an object that includes thesurface.

In an embodiment, the verification module 1216 and/or 1296 furtherincludes a verification module operable to authenticate a user bydetermining a correspondence between a user-entered identificationaspect of the environment 1205 and a sensor-acquired informationcorresponding to a user aspect of the environment of the manual device1210. In another embodiment, the verification module further includes averification module operable to determine a correspondence between anaspect of the surface 1270 bearing a mark formed by the discharge of themarking substance 1273 upon the surface in response to a movement of thewriting element 1212 with data in a file that includes an indication ofa predetermined surface to be marked by the manual device. For example,a surgeon may use the manual device to form a presurgery mark on a skinsurface over a patient's right kidney for removal. The verificationmodule determines a correspondence between the surgeon's presurgery markand data in a file indicating that a skin surface over the patient'sleft kidney is to be marked for removal of the left kidney. In thisexample, a no-verification notification may be provided by the system1201 indicative that a wrong kidney was marked for removal. In a furtherembodiment, the verification module further includes a verificationmodule operable to determine a correspondence between an aspect of thesurface and information embodied in a mark formed on the surface by themanual marking device.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary operational flow 1300 in whichembodiments may be implemented. After a start operation, the operationalflow includes a receiving operation 1310. The receiving operationacquires information corresponding to an environment of a device havinga marking element. A writing operation 1330 forms a mark on a surfacecorresponding to a manual movement of the marking element upon thesurface. A verification operation 1350 determines a correspondencebetween a first aspect of the environment of the device and a secondaspect of the environment of the device. The operational flow then movesto an end operation.

FIG. 22 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow 1300 of FIG. 23. The receiving operation 1310 mayinclude at least one additional operation. The at least one additionaloperation may include an operation 1312 and/or an operation 1314. Theoperation 1312 acquires information corresponding to an environment of adevice having a marking element using a sensor physically coupled withthe device. The operation 1314 wirelessly acquires informationcorresponding to an environment of a device having a marking elementfrom a sensor not physically coupled with the device.

FIG. 23 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow 1300 of FIG. 22. The writing operation 1330 may includeat least one additional operation. The at least one additional operationmay include an operation 1332 and/or an operation 1334. The operation1332 forms a mark on a surface corresponding to a manual movement of astylus upon the surface. The operation 1334 discharges from the writingelement a marking substance onto a surface in response to a movement ofthe writing element over the surface.

FIG. 24 illustrates a further embodiment of the exemplary operationalflow 1300 of FIG. 23. The verification operation 1350 may include atleast one additional operation. The at least one additional operationmay include an operation 1352 and/or an operation 1354. The operation1352 determines a correspondence between a user-entered identificationand a sensor-acquired information corresponding to a user of the manualdevice. The operation 1354 determines a correspondence between an aspectof the formed mark on a surface and a saved information corresponding toa preselected aspect of the formed mark on the surface. For example, theaspect of the formed mark may include a surgeon's pre-surgery mark overa left kidney and the saved information may include an operating plandesignating the left kidney for surgical treatment.

FIG. 25 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow 1300 of FIG. 23. The exemplary operational flow mayinclude at least one additional operation 1360. The at least oneadditional operation may include an operation 1362 and/or an operation1364. The operation 1362 configures a storage device in response to afile that includes data useful in verification of the environment of themanual device. The operation 1364 controls the forming a mark on asurface corresponding to a manual movement of the marking element uponthe surface at least partially in response to the determining acorrespondence between a first aspect of the environment of the deviceand a second aspect of the environment of the device.

FIG. 26 illustrates an exemplary setting 1400 in which embodiments maybe implemented. The exemplary setting includes a device 1401 having amarking element and an environment 1405 of the device. The deviceincludes means 1410 for acquiring information corresponding to theenvironment of the device. The device also includes means 1420 forforming a mark on a surface corresponding to a manual movement of themarking element upon the surface. The device further includes means 1430for determining a correspondence between first aspect of the environmentof the device and a second aspect of the environment of the device. Inan alternative embodiment, the device further includes means 1440 forconfiguring a storage device in response to a file that includes datauseful in verification of the environment of the manual device.

FIG. 27 illustrates an exemplary setting 1500 in which embodiments maybe implemented. The exemplary setting includes a system 1501 and anenvironment 1505 in which the system may operate. The system includes amanual device 1510, which further includes a first writing elementillustrated as a writing element 1512, a second writing elementillustrated as a two-dimensional marker 1513, and a controller 1514. Thesystem also includes a sensor, illustrated as at least one of a sensor1518 and a sensor 1592.

The first writing element 1512 is operable to discharge a first markingsubstance 1573 on a surface 1570 in response to a manual movement of thefirst writing element upon the surface. The second writing element 1513is operable to discharge a second marking substance, illustrated as atleast one of second marking substance 1574, 1576, and/or 1578 on thesurface in response to the controller 1514. The controller is operableto encode information corresponding to the environment 1505 of themanual device by regulating a discharge of the second marking substance.The sensor, illustrated as at least one of a sensor 1518, and/or asensor 1592 is operable to acquire data indicative of an environment ofthe manual device.

In an embodiment, the second writing element 1513 further includes asecond writing element operable to discharge a second marking substance1576, 1578 on the surface 1570 in response to a controller 1514 and inresponse to another manual movement. For example, the another manualmovement of the device 1510 may include any manual movement. A manualmovement may include a tap, a swipe, and/or a turning the manual deviceover and swiping the two-dimensional marker 1513 portion across thesurface.

In an embodiment, the sensor (1518, 1592) further includes a sensoroperable to acquire data indicative of at least one of time, location,global position, acceleration, temperature, user identification and/oruser data. In another embodiment, the sensor 1592 further includes asensor operable to acquire data indicative of the environment 1505 ofthe manual device 1510. The sensor also includes a memory 1594configurable by a file that includes data useful in characterizing theenvironment of the manual device.

In an embodiment, the system 1501 includes an electronic device 1590that includes the sensor 1592 operable to acquire data indicative of anenvironment 1505 of the manual device 1510. In another embodiment, theelectronic device may include the thin computing device 20 of FIG. 1. Ina further embodiment, the electronic device may include the computingdevice 110 of FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the system includes anelectronic device 1590 operable to wirelessly communicate with themanual device. This electronic device includes the sensor 1592 operableto acquire data indicative of an environment of the manual device. In afurther embodiment, the system includes an electronic device thatincludes the sensor 1592 operable to acquire data indicative of anenvironment of the manual device. This electronic device also includesthe memory 1594 configurable by a file that includes data useful incharacterizing the environment of the manual device 1510.

In an embodiment, the manual device 1510 further includes the sensor1518 operable to acquire data indicative of an environment 1505 of themanual device. In another embodiment, the manual device includes thesensor 1518 operable to acquire data indicative of an environment of themanual device and further includes the memory 1526 configurable by afile that includes data useful in characterizing the environment of themanual device. In a further embodiment, the manual device includes afirst writing element 1512 spaced apart from a second writing element1213. In another embodiment, the manual device includes a first writingelement proximate to a second writing element.

FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary operational flow 1600 in whichembodiments may be implemented. After a start operation, the operationalflow moves to a first writing operation 1610. The first writingoperation discharges a first marking substance from an electronicprinthead of a device and onto a surface in response to a first manualmovement of the device. An insertion operation 1630 includes informationcorresponding to an environment of the device by regulating thedischarging of the first marking substance on the surface. A secondwriting operation 1650 discharges a second marking substance from awriting element of the device and onto the surface in response to asecond manual movement of the device. The operational flow then moves toan end operation.

FIG. 29 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow 1600 of FIG. 28. The first writing operation 1610 mayinclude at least one additional operation. The at least one additionaloperation may include an operation 1612, an operation 1614, and/or anoperation 1616. The operation 1612 discharges at least one of ink,graphite, paint, particles, nanoparticles, and/or quantum dots from anelectronic printhead of a device and onto a surface in response to afirst manual movement of the device. The operation 1614 discharges atleast one of a visible and/or an invisible marking substance from anelectronic printhead of a device and onto a surface in response to afirst manual movement of the device. The operation 1616 discharges afluorescent ink from an electronic printhead of a device and onto asurface in response to a first manual movement of the device.

FIG. 30 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow 1600 of FIG. 28. The insertion operation 1630 mayinclude at least one additional operation. The at least one additionaloperation may include an operation 1632, an operation 1634, and/or anoperation 1636. The operation 1632 includes information corresponding toan environment of the device by regulating at least one of volume,continuity, color, and/or pattern of the discharging of the firstmarking substance on the surface. The operation 1634 includesinformation corresponding to an environment of the device by regulatinga width of a line formed on the surface by the discharging of the firstmarking substance on the surface. The operation 1636 includesinformation corresponding to an environment of the device by regulatingat least one of amplitude, frequency, differential shift, and/orparameter of an orthogonal formation of the discharging of the firstmarking substance on the surface.

FIG. 31 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow 1600 of FIG. 28. The second writing operation 1650 mayinclude at least one additional operation. The at least one additionaloperation may include an operation 1652, an operation 1654, and/or anoperation 1656. The operation 1652 discharges a second marking substancefrom another electronic printhead of the device and onto the surface inresponse to a second manual movement of the device. The operation 1654discharges a second marking substance from a writing element of thedevice and onto the surface in response to a second manual movement ofthe device, wherein the second manual movement of the device is at leastsubstantially similar to the first manual movement of the device. Theoperation 1656 discharges a second marking substance from a writingelement of the device and onto the surface in response to a secondmanual movement of the device, wherein the second manual movement of thedevice is at least substantially dissimilar from the first manualmovement of the device.

FIG. 32 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplaryoperational flow 1600 of FIG. 28. The operational flow may include atleast one additional operation, such as an accession operation. Theaccession operation 1660 acquires data indicative of an environment ofthe manual device.

FIG. 33 illustrates an exemplary setting 1700 in which embodiments maybe implemented. The setting includes a device 1701 operable in anenvironment 1705. The device includes means 1710 for discharging from anelectronic printhead of the device a first marking substance on asurface in response to a first manual movement of the device. The devicealso includes means 1720 for including information corresponding to anenvironment of the device by regulating the discharging of the firstmarking substance on the surface. The device further includes means 1730for discharging from a writing element of the device a second markingsubstance on the surface in response to a second manual movement of thedevice. In an alternative embodiment, the device also includes means1740 for acquiring data indicative of an environment of the manualdevice.

Returning to FIG. 3 and the exemplary setting 200 that includes anexemplary manual device 210 operable in a context 205. Anotherembodiment of the exemplary manual device includes a writing element 212and a controller 214. The writing element is operable to form a mark 272on a surface 270 corresponding to a movement of the writing element overthe surface. The controller is operable to digitally encode informationin the mark.

In an embodiment, the writing element 212 further includes a writingelement operable to form a human viewable mark 272 on a surface 270corresponding to a movement of the writing element over the surface. Inanother embodiment, the writing element further includes a writingelement operable to form a machine-readable mark on a surfacecorresponding to a movement of the writing element over the surface. Ina further embodiment, the writing element further includes an electronicwriting element operable to form a mark on a surface corresponding to amovement of the writing element over the surface. In another embodiment,the writing element further includes a writing element operable to forma mark on a surface corresponding to a manual movement of the writingelement over the surface. In a further embodiment, the writing elementfurther includes a writing element operable to form a mark on a surfacecorresponding to a machine caused movement of the writing element overthe surface.

In an embodiment, the controller 214 further includes a controlleroperable to digitally encode information in the mark 272. The digitallyencoded information including more information than any informationrepresented by the movement of the writing element 212 over the surface.In another embodiment, the controller further includes a controlleroperable to digitally encode information in the mark. The encodedinformation including information other than any information representedby the movement of the writing element over the surface. In a furtherembodiment, the controller further includes a controller operable todigitally encode information in the mark by regulating the formation ofthe mark. The encoded information including information additional toany information represented by the movement of the writing element overthe surface.

In an embodiment, the controller 214 operable to digitally encodeinformation in the mark 272 further includes a controller operable todigitally encode information in the mark by regulating the formation ofthe mark. In a further embodiment, the controller further includes acontroller operable to receive information other than informationrepresented by the movement of the writing element over the surface andto digitally encode the received information in the mark. In anotherembodiment, the controller further includes a controller operable toreceive the information corresponding to an aspect of the surface and todigitally encode the received information in the mark by regulating theformation of the mark.

In an embodiment, the controller 214 further includes a controlleroperable to digitally encode contextual information in the mark 272. Inanother embodiment, the controller further includes a controlleroperable to digitally encode information in the mark formed on a surface270 of a patient. The information corresponding to at least one of apatient information and/or a patient history.

FIG. 34 illustrates an exemplary operational flow 1800. After a startoperation, the operational flow moves to a writing operation 1810. Thewriting operation forms a mark representing a first information on asurface. An insertion operation 1830 regulates the formation of the markto include a second information. The operational flow then moves to anend operation.

FIG. 35 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow1800 of FIG. 34. The writing operation 1810 may include at least oneadditional operation. The at least one additional operation includes anoperation 1812 and/or an operation 1814. The operation 1812 forms a markrepresenting a first information on a surface corresponding to amovement of an electronic writing element over the surface. Theoperation 1814 forms a mark representing a first information on asurface in response to manual action.

FIG. 36 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the operationalflow 1800 of FIG. 34. The writing operation 1810 may include at leastone additional operation. The at least one additional operation includesan operation 1816, an operation 1818, and/or an operation 1822. Theoperation 1816 forms a mark representing a first information on asurface in response to at least one of a manual, and/or machinefacilitated movement of an electronic writing element over the surface.The operation 1818 forms an analog expressed mark representing ahuman-understandable information on a surface. The operation 1822discharges a marking substance onto a surface to form a markrepresenting a first information.

FIG. 37 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the operationalflow 1800 of FIG. 34. The insertion operation 1830 may include at leastone additional operation. The at least one additional operation includesan operation 1832 and/or an operation 1834. The operation 1832 regulatesthe formation of an analog mark to include a digitally expressed secondinformation. The operation 1834 regulates at least one of volume,continuity, color, and/or pattern of the mark to include a secondinformation.

FIG. 38 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow1800 of FIG. 34. The insertion operation 1830 may include at least oneadditional operation. The at least one additional operation includes anoperation 1836 and/or an operation 1838. The operation 1836 regulates anorthogonal aspect of the mark relative to a movement of the writingelement of the mark to include a second information. The operation 1838regulates at least one of amplitude, frequency, differential shift,and/or parameter of an orthogonal aspect of the mark relative to amovement of the writing element of the mark to include a secondinformation.

FIG. 39 illustrates a device 1900 in which embodiments may beimplemented. The device includes means 1910 for forming a markrepresenting a first information on a surface corresponding to amovement of an electronic writing element over the surface. The devicealso includes means 1920 for regulating the formation of the mark toinclude a second information.

In an alternative embodiment, the means 1910 include means 1912 forforming an analog mark expressing a first information on a surfacecorresponding to a movement of an electronic writing element over thesurface. In another alternative embodiment, the means 1920 include means1922 for regulating the formation of the mark to include a seconddigitally expressed information.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the variouscomponents and elements disclosed herein and in the drawings, as well asthe various steps and substeps disclosed herein and in the drawings, maybe incorporated together in different combinations to implementembodiments and enhance possible benefits and advantages. The exemplarysystem, apparatus, and device embodiment disclosed herein, includingFIGS. 1-4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 19, 20, 26, 27, 33, and 39, along with othercomponents, devices, know-how, skill, and techniques that are known inthe art may be individually or in a combination to implement and/orpractice one or more methods and process illustrated in FIGS. 5-8,11-14, 17-18, 21-25, 28-32, and 34-38. It is to be understood that themethods and processes can be incorporated in one or more different typesof computer program products with a carrier medium having programinstructions encoded thereon. However, it is to be further understood bythose skilled in the art that other systems, apparatus, and technologymay be used to implement and practice such methods and processes.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowdiagrams, operation diagrams, flowcharts, illustrations, and/orexamples. Insofar as such block diagrams, operation diagrams,flowcharts, illustrations, and/or examples contain one or more functionsand/or operations, it will be understood that each function and/oroperation within such block diagrams, operation diagrams, flowcharts,illustrations, or examples can be implemented, individually and/orcollectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, orvirtually any combination thereof unless otherwise indicated. Aparticular block diagram, operation diagram, flowchart, illustration,environment, and/or example should not be interpreted as having anydependency or requirement relating to any one or combination ofcomponents illustrated therein. For example, in certain instances, oneor more elements of an environment may be deemed not necessary andomitted. In other instances, one or more other elements may be deemednecessary and added.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; theuse of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that incertain contexts the choice between hardware and software can becomesignificant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs.Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are variousvehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologiesdescribed herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/orfirmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context inwhich the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies aredeployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed andaccuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardwareand/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, theimplementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet againalternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware,software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles bywhich the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies describedherein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to theother in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon thecontext in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns(e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any ofwhich may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that opticalaspects of implementations will typically employ optically-orientedhardware, software, and or firmware.

In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that themechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of beingdistributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that anillustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein appliesequally regardless of the particular type of signal-bearing media usedto actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal-bearingmedia include, but are not limited to, the following: recordable typemedia such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD ROMs, digital tape, andcomputer memory; and transmission type media such as digital and analogcommunication links using TDM or IP based communication links (e.g.,packet links).

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

The herein described aspects depict different components containedwithin, or connected with, different other components. It is to beunderstood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, andthat in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achievethe same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement ofcomponents to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated”such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any twocomponents herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can beseen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionalityis achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being“operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achievethe desired functionality. Any two components capable of being soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable” to eachother to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples ofoperably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateableand/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactableand/or wirelessly interacting components.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

1. An apparatus comprising: a writing element having a first portionoperable to discharge a first marking substance on a surface in responseto a movement of the writing element over the surface and a secondportion operable to discharge a second marking substance on the surfacein response to a controller; and the controller operable to encodeinformation corresponding to a context of the apparatus by regulatingthe discharge of the second marking substance.
 2. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the writing element having a first portion operable todischarge a first marking substance on a surface in response to amovement of the writing element over the surface and a second portionoperable discharge a second marking substance on the surface in responseto a controller further includes: a writing element having a firstorifice operable to discharge a first marking substance on a surface inresponse to a movement of the writing element over the surface and asecond orifice operable discharge a second marking substance on thesurface in response to a controller.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the writing element having a first portion operable to dischargea first marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of thewriting element over the surface and a second portion operable dischargea second marking substance on the surface in response to a controllerfurther includes: a writing element having a first portion operable todischarge a first marking substance on a surface in response to amovement of the writing element over the surface and a second portionoperable discharge a second marking substance on the surface in responseto a controller, the first portion of a writing element being proximateto the second portion of the writing element.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the writing element having a first portion operable todischarge a first marking substance on a surface in response to amovement of the writing element over the surface and a second portionoperable discharge a second marking substance on the surface in responseto a controller further includes: a writing element having a firstportion operable to discharge a first marking substance on a surface inresponse to a movement of the writing element over the surface and asecond portion operable discharge a second marking substance on thesurface in response to a controller, the first portion of a writingelement being spaced apart from the second portion of the writingelement.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the writing element havinga first portion operable to discharge a first marking substance on asurface in response to a movement of the writing element over thesurface and a second portion operable discharge a second markingsubstance on the surface further includes: a writing element having afirst portion operable to discharge a first marking substance on asurface in response to a movement of the writing element over thesurface and a second portion operable discharge a second markingsubstance on the surface in response to a controller, wherein the secondmarking substance being at least substantially similar to the firstmarking substance.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the writingelement having a first portion operable to discharge a first markingsubstance on a surface in response to a movement of the writing elementover the surface and a second portion operable discharge a secondmarking substance on the surface further includes: a writing elementhaving a first portion operable to discharge a first marking substanceon a surface in response to a movement of the writing element over thesurface and a second portion operable discharge a second markingsubstance on the surface, wherein the second marking substance being atleast substantially dissimilar to the first marking substance.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the writing element having a first portionoperable to discharge a first marking substance on a surface in responseto a movement of the writing element over the surface and a secondportion operable discharge a second marking substance on the surface inresponse to a controller further includes: a writing element having afirst portion operable to discharge a first marking substance on asurface in response to a movement of the writing element over thesurface and a second portion operable discharge a second markingsubstance on the surface in response to a controller, wherein the secondmarking substance being a same marking substance as the first markingsubstance.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the writing elementhaving a first portion operable to discharge a first marking substanceon a surface in response to a movement of the writing element over thesurface and a second portion operable discharge a second markingsubstance on the surface in response to a controller further includes: awriting element having a first portion operable to discharge a firstmarking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writingelement over the surface and a second portion operable discharge asecond marking substance on the surface in response to a controller,wherein the second marking substance includes at least one of visibleand/or invisible marking substance.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe writing element having a first portion operable to discharge a firstmarking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writingelement over the surface and a second portion operable discharge asecond marking substance on the surface in response to a controllerfurther includes: a writing element having a first portion operable todischarge a first marking substance on a surface in response to amovement of the writing element over the surface and a second portionoperable discharge a second marking substance on the surface in responseto a controller, wherein the second marking substance includes at leastone of ink, graphite, paint, particles, nanoparticles, and/or quantumdots.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the writing element having afirst portion operable to discharge a first marking substance on asurface in response to a movement of the writing element over thesurface and a second portion operable discharge a second markingsubstance on the surface in response to a controller further includes: awriting element having a first portion operable to discharge a firstmarking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writingelement over the surface and a second portion operable discharge inresponse to a controller a second marking substance in two dimensions onthe surface.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controlleroperable to encode information corresponding to a context of theapparatus by regulating the discharge of the second marking substancefurther includes: a controller operable to encode informationcorresponding to a context of the apparatus by regulating the dischargeof the second marking substance in a manner that is at leastsubstantially independent of the movement of the writing element overthe surface.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controlleroperable to encode information corresponding to a context of theapparatus by regulating the discharge of the second marking substancefurther includes: a controller operable to encode informationcorresponding to a context of the apparatus by regulating an orthogonaldischarge of the second marking substance relative to a movement of thewriting element.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: asensor operable to acquire the information corresponding to a context ofthe apparatus.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: asensor operable to acquire and transmit the information corresponding toa context of the apparatus.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: an imaging device operable to capture an aspect of thesurface.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a reservoirconfigured to contain a supply at least one of the first markingsubstance and/or the second marking substance.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a memory configurable by file that includesat least one instance of a context and a code indicative of the context.18. A method comprising: acquiring information corresponding to acontext of a handheld writing device having at least two electronicallydriven printheads; discharging a marking substance from a firstelectronically driven printhead of the at least two electronicallydriven printheads in response to a movement of the handheld writingdevice vis-à-vis a surface; and encoding the information correspondingto a context of the handheld writing device by regulating a discharge ofa second marking substance from a second electronically driven printheadof the at least two electronically driven printheads.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the acquiring information corresponding to a contextof a handheld writing device having at least two electronically drivenprintheads further includes: sensing information corresponding to acontext of a handheld writing device having at least two electronicallydriven printheads.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the acquiringinformation corresponding to a context of a handheld writing devicehaving at least two electronically driven printheads further includes:receiving information corresponding to a context of a handheld writingdevice having at least two electronically driven printheads from asensor not physically coupled with the handheld writing device.
 21. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the acquiring information corresponding to acontext of a handheld writing device having at least two electronicallydriven printheads further includes: acquiring information correspondingto an environmental context of a handheld writing device having at leasttwo electronically driven printheads.
 22. The method of claim 18,wherein the acquiring information corresponding to a context of ahandheld writing device having at least two electronically drivenprintheads further includes: acquiring information corresponding to auser context of a handheld writing device having at least twoelectronically driven printheads.
 23. The method of claim 18, whereinthe discharging a marking substance from a first electronically drivenprinthead of the at least two electronically driven printheads inresponse to a movement of the handheld writing device vis-à-vis asurface further includes: at least one of emitting, dispersing,imparting, releasing, ejecting, and/or flowing a marking substance froma first electronically driven printhead of the at least twoelectronically driven printheads in response to a movement of thehandheld writing device vis-à-vis a surface.
 24. The method of claim 18,wherein the discharging a marking substance from a first electronicallydriven printhead of the at least two electronically driven printheads inresponse to a movement of the handheld writing device vis-à-vis asurface further includes: discharging at least one of ink, graphite,paint, particles, nanoparticles, and/or quantum dots from a firstelectronically driven printhead of the at least two electronicallydriven printheads in response to a movement of the handheld writingdevice vis-à-vis a surface.
 25. The method of claim 18, wherein theencoding the information corresponding to a context of the handheldwriting device by regulating a discharge of a second marking substancefrom a second electronically driven printhead of the at least twoelectronically driven printheads further includes: encoding theinformation corresponding to a context of the handheld writing device byregulating a parameter of a discharge of a second marking substance froma second electronically driven printhead of the at least twoelectronically driven printheads.
 26. The method of claim 18, whereinthe encoding the information corresponding to a context of the handheldwriting device by regulating a discharge of a second marking substancefrom a second electronically driven printhead of the at least twoelectronically driven printheads further includes: encoding theinformation corresponding to a context of the handheld writing device byregulating a discharge of a second marking substance from a secondelectronically driven printhead of the at least two electronicallydriven printheads, wherein the second marking substance is at leastsubstantially similar with the first marking substance.
 27. The methodof claim 18, wherein the encoding the information corresponding to acontext of the handheld writing device by regulating a discharge of asecond marking substance from a second electronically driven printheadof the at least two electronically driven printheads further includes:encoding the information corresponding to a context of the handheldwriting device by regulating a discharge of a second marking substancefrom a second electronically driven printhead of the at least twoelectronically driven printheads, wherein the first electronicallydriven print head is proximate to the second electronically drivenprinthead.
 28. A handheld writing device operable in a context, thedevice comprising: means for acquiring information corresponding to acontext of the handheld writing device having at least twoelectronically driven printheads; means for discharging a markingsubstance from a first electronically driven printhead of the at leasttwo electronically driven printheads in response to a movement of thehandheld writing device vis-à-vis a surface; and means for encoding theinformation corresponding to a context of the handheld writing device byregulating the discharge of a second marking substance from a secondelectronically driven printhead of the at least two electronicallydriven printheads.